Fluid heater



Aug 7, 1951 P. R. GRossMAN 2,563,323

FLUID HEATER File'd April 1, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 O ,.f als r60 M) lINVENTOR f7 /BDYau/ 1Q. Grossman ATTORN EY Aug- 7, 1951 P. R. GRossMAN2,563,323'

FLUID HEATER Filed April l, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

pcg/1l Grossman ATTORNEY AUSL 7, 1951 P. R. GROSSMAN 2,563,323

, FLUID HEATER Filed April 1. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet ."5

/4 lNvl-:NroR 'Lg' 6 Page] .1Q Grossman ATTORNEY Rem-.d Aw 1,.11951FLUID HEATER Paul R. Grossman, Alliance, Ohio, assignor to The Babcock &Wilcox Company, Bockleigh, N. J.. a corporation of New JerseyApplication April 1, 1949, Serial No. 84,890

The present invention relates to the construction and operation offluidheaters of the type in which a fluent mass of gas-pervious solid heattransfer material is circulated downwardly through a heating chamber,'in which it is heated by the passage of gaseous heating uid in heattransfer relation therewith, and then through a connecting passage ofreduced flow area to and through a subjacent cooling chamber, in whichit is cooled by heat transfer to a second fluid to be heated. Thisgeneral type of uid heating apparatus is disclosed in the Bailey et al.Patent 2,447,306.

Fluid heaters of the type described usually employ small pieces orbodies of ceramic refractory material arranged in a solid column or bedas the heat transfer material. 'Ihe bed of material is continuouslycirculated downwardly through superimposed refractory lined chambersconnected by one or more throat conduits of reduced` cross-section wherethe refractory construction of the fluid heater allows continuousoperation of the unit over extended periods of time at substantiallyhigher temperatures than are desirable with metallic heat exchangers.The downwardly moving mass of heat transfer material is heated in theupper chamber by direct contact countercurrent ow relationship with aheating fluid. The gaseous products resulting from the combustion of agaseous or liquid fuel, with or without the addition of excess air fortemperature regulation, forms a practical heating fluid for thispurpose.

In such heaters a problem is encountered in attaining uniformity of bedtemperatures transversely of the downwardly moving mass of heat transfermaterial. A substantially uniform transverse bed temperature is verydesirable in many fluid heater installations either by reason of thenature of the fluid heated in the apparatus, or due to the physicalcharacteristics of the heat transfer material. Uniformity of ltransversebed temperatures is primarily dependent upon the uniformity of heatinggas flow through the bed of heat transfer material. Uniformity of gasflow through the bed is greatly influenced by the uniformity of gas flowdistribution to the bed. The d ifliculty in attaining uniformity of bedtemperatures is increased in high capacity fluid heaters where thecross-sectional area of the bed is `increased in proportion to theincrease in heater capacity. One desirable arrangement of fluid heaterapparatus is disclosed and claimed in a copending application of GeorgeD. Ebbets and Ralph M. Hardgrove, filed Oc- 9 Claims. (Cl. 263-19) tOber26, 1946, SerialNO. 706,018. In the application, the heating chamber isconstructed with an annular lpassageway for the downwardly moving bed ofheat transfer material. 'I'he central portion of the chamberadvantageously provides space for an internal combustion chamber orheating gas inlet,'from which the heating gases radially enter the lowerend portion of the annular bed and flow upwardly therethrough in anessentially uniformly distributed stream. With this type of uid heater,the difference in uid pressures on opposite sides of the wall sepa.-rating the combustion chamber and the upper portion of the annularpassageway may be suillcient to cause combustion gas leakage through theintervening wall structure. if made ofceramic material. 'Ihe pressuredifference, and thus the gas leakage, will increase with the depth ofthe bed of heat transfer material due to the correspondingly increaseduid pressure drop of fluid flow through the bed. The pressuredifferential will be greatest in the upper .part of the heater becauseof the flow resistance of the bed of heat transfer material.

In' accordance with the present invention, a metallic sleeve embracesthe upper portion of the annular chamber wall to provide a seal againstgas leakage from the combustion chamber into the upper portion o! thebed passageway. Since the sleeve is exposed to a relatively hightemperature, it is maintained at a safe operating temperature by fluidcooling.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a fluid heater ofthe type described which is characterized by a high capacity and a highheat transfer emciency. A further and more specific object is to providemeans for avoiding a leakage of high temperature heating gases through aceramic refractory wall between zones of differential pressures. Anadditional specific object is to .provide an inner wall refractorymetallic member of the type described which is exposed to relativelyhigh temperatures and is maintained at a safe operating temperature byfluid cooling. An additional specific object is to cool a metallicsleeve encircling a D01'- tion of an annularly arranged refractory wallin a solid and gas contact device of the type described by a flow ofcombustion air which is thereafter burned with a fuel in the spacedefined by the annular refractory Wall.

'Ihe various features of novelty which characterize my invention, arepointedout with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification. For a better underascasss f standing of theinvention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by itsuse. reference should be had tothe accompanying drawings anddescriptivematter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodimentsof my invention.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a fluid heating apparatusincluding apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown inFig.1:

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a portion of the apparatusshown in Fig. 1;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken on lines 4-4 and i-lrespectively of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation of a modified construction of a portionof the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and y Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectionalview of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6.

The fluid heater construction is illustrated in general in Fig. l andincludes an upper heating chamber Il wherein a fluent mass of solid heattransfer material Ii is heated by direct contact with a heating fluid.and a lower cooling chamber I2 wherein the heated heat transfer materialil is cooled by direct contact with a fluid to be heated. The chambersI0 and I2 are connected by a tubular conduit il having an internalthroat passageway I4 of substantially 'smaller crosssectlonal ow areawhich forms a passageway therebetween for the flow ofvheat transfermaterial from the upperchamber to the lower chamber. In the illustratedembodiment of the invention, the heating duid for the heat tr'ansfermaterial in the chamber lll consists of gaseous products of combustionwhich are advantageously produced in a combustion chamber locatedcentrally within the chamber I0. 'I'he gases being directed into directcontact counterflow relationship with the downwardly moving bed of heattransfer material for a substantially uniform dow through theinterstitial spaces of the bed. The moving bed of heat transfer materialis arranged with a substantial depth and an extended circumferentiallength. 'Ihe heat transfer material is heated to a relatively hightemperature during its passage through the upper chamber l0, and inpassing through the lower chamber i2 its temperature is reduced by heatexchange with the duid to be heated. The cooled heat transfer materialleaves the lower chamber 12 through a discharge pipe or spout IIconnected at its lower ad te e suiteme meenemen feeder n. The

feeder regulates the rete of withdrawal er heet transfer material fromthe chamber I2 and discharges it into an elevator Il which delivers theheat transfer material through a plurality of feed spouts 2Q into theupper chamber for reuse in the heat exchange cycle process.

, A relatively wide range of refractory materials y can be used as thefluent mass of solid heat transfer material, the material selecteddepending upon the particular operating conditions to be maintainedwithin the duid heating unit. In general, the material should have ahigh strength and hardness. substantial resistance to thermal shock, anda high softening'temperature. Such materials may be natural ormanufactured cerainic refractories, corrosion resistant alloys or alloysteels, in small pieces or regular or irregular shape. As disclosed insaid Bailey et al. patent. substantially spherical pellets or "pebblesof cessfullyused. Thepclletsshouldbeasizesuch as to provide a largeamount of surface area for transfer of heat and of a density suillcientto withstand the fluid flow velocities through the pellet mass while inthe heating and cooling chambers without lifting. One desirable size ofceramic refractory pellet has been found to be approximately inch indiameter, but the size maybe varied above and below that value dependingupon the desired operating conditions in the fluid heater.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive, the upper or pellet heating chamberil is defined by a cylindrical metallic casing 2i having a domed top 22and an inverted frusta-conical bottom plate 2l, with all the interiorsurfaces thereof protected by a lining 24 of one or more layers ofsuitable refractory material. The lining of the domed top 22 is formedof a monolithic poured refractory material. In addition to theprotective refractory lining 24, the cylindrical casing 2| and theinverted truste-conical bottom plate 23 are protected by a layer ofinsulating material 26 interposed between the casing 2| and lining 24.

An upright refractory cylindrical wall 21 is centrally positioned withinthe chamber Il with its outer face radially spaced from the inner faceof the lining 24 to define an annular chamber or passageway 2ltherebetween having a circumferential length many times greater than itstransverse radial width. The wall is supported on a series ofcircumferentially spaced piers 2l which are in turn built into the lowerconical extension of the lining 24 and supported by the invertedtruste-conical bottom plate. 22. As

, shown in Fig. 3, the spaced piers define a series of inwardly flaringinclined openings 2i there.

between, whereby the heat transfer material ii can flow freely from theannular passageway 28 to a centrally positioned outlet 22 forming theentrance te the throat passageway i4. The wall 21 is constructed withone or more rows of circumferentially spaced ports 23 radially extendingthrough the wall and inclined downwardly toward their outer ends sothat. with the natural angle of repose of the heat transfer material,the material will not extend very far into the ports. The wall 21extends upwardly to a spaced position near the top 22.

In accordance with my invention, the upper portion of the wall 21 isprovided with a supporting metallic sleeve I4. The sleeve 34 extendsfrom a location intermediate the height of the wall 21 to the upper endthereof where the sleeve is provided with a frusto-conical disk 2l, andan attached cylindrical extension Il of reduced diameter which isarranged to project upwardly through a corresponding centrally locatedopening I6 through the domed top. As shown, the lower end of the sleeve34 has an intemalnange 21 embedded in the wall 21. while its upper endis provided with a flexible bellows seal connection 2l arranged topermit diiferential expansion and contraction of the wall 21 relative tethe other portions of the chamber Il, as caused by dif ferentialtemperature changes.` while simultaneously maintaining an effectivefluid seal for the upper portion of the passage 2l.

The flexible bellows Il is a section of corrugated .steel plate arrangedto permit axial elongation and contraction. The upper edge ofthe bellowsis attached to-an annular plate 4I which is bolted to a rigid flangedcollar 42 welded to the domed top 22 and surrounding the opening Ilmnnufacturedceramic refractories have been suc- 1g in the top ofthechamber. Th lower edge of the aseasns bellows 33 is attached to. aninwardly projecting flange 43 within the cylindrical sleeve extension35. With this construction theupper portion of wall 21 may expandvertically with respect to the top 22, and the cylindrical extension 35through the opening 36 will aid in maintaining' the axial alignment ofthe wall 21 with respect to the opening while maintaining a gastightconnection between the upper portion of the annular passageway 28 andthe correspond- Ing portion of the combustion chamber 44 enclosed by theannular wall 21.

A ported burner block 45 is arranged in the upper end of'the combustionchamber 44 and through which a fuel burner 46 discharges. The burner 46is of the pre-mixing type wherein a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas orthe like. is delivered through a supply conduit 41 and mixed with aportion of the required combustion air in the body of the burner 46 andthe mixture discharged from the burner tip 48 through the centralcircular port of the block 45. The upper end of the burner is enclosedby a metallic bell-like dome 50 which is attached to the flange ofcollar 42 and defines an air chamber 5I into which combustion air isdelivered under pressure through an inlet 52. A portion of the chargedfrom the burner tip. An additional 'portion of combustion air will passthrough the annular space between the sleeve 34 and the adjacent surfaceof the wall 21 with an appreciable cooling eiiect on the metallic sleeve34 to subsequently enter 'the chamber 44 by leakage through theintervening refractories.

which is of sufficient cross-sectional area and 'Ihe v internal chamber44 provides a combustion space length to permit substantially completecombusv tion of the fuel before the resultant gases escape through theports 33 into the lower portion of the annular passageway 23. l

'Ihe annular chamber or passageway 28 receives the heat transfermaterial pellets II from a plurality of spouts 20 which are arranged toproject through the top 22 and to end at spaced 'the outside diameterthereof approximately 8 feet, I have found that four spouts 20, as shownin Fig. 2, and with the heat transfer material previously described (i.e. 1%" diameter pellets having a natural angle of repose ofapproximately 20) the circumferential variation in the depth of pelletbed between the ports 33 and the upper surface 54 thereof isinsufficient to adversely effect the uniformity lof heating gas flowthrough the heat transfer material in the passageway 28. When thediameter and/or width of the annular passageway 23 is increased beyondthat indicated, it is desirable toA increase the number of spoutsdelivering heat transfer 6 even distribution of heating gas ilowcircumferentially of the passageway to advantageously maintainr auniformity of pellet temperature entering the chamber I2.

Theannular space in 4the upper end4 of the passageway 23. above thesurface 54 of the heat transfer material, is provided with stack outlet53 containing a control damper 63' for the disposal of spent heatinggases. The movement of heating gases upwardly through the interstices ofthe. heat transfer material mass from the level of the ports 33 will besubstantially uniform throughout the extent of the annular mass and as aresult, the temperature of any segment in a horizontal cross-section ofthe annular mass will be substantially equal tn every other segment.

The fluid heating apparatus, including the chambers III and I2-and theconnecting throatv I3 are supported as a unit from structural steel worklocated adjacent the'inverted frusta-conical bottom ofthe upper chamberI3.` 'Ihis is shown Vparticularly in Fig. 3, wherein a framework ofheavy I-beams 16 on the columns 11 are amxed to the joint between thevertical sides of the upper chamber casing 2I and the upper end of thefrusto-conical bottom plate 23 by web members 13. 'I'he plate 23supporting the bottom of the upper chamber is heavier than thecorresponding sections of the casings 2| and 60 for either the upper orlower chambers and due to its inverted conical shape has a highstructural strength. The sectional casing 51 for the throat I3 isreinforced by angle iron stiffeners 30 to provide rigidity for thethroat I3. and sufllcient structural strength to support the lowercham-` ber I2. With this commotion the upper chamber III is free toexpand upwardly from the level of tht I-beams 16, and likewise thethroat I3' and the lower chamberl2 are free to expand l downwardly fromthis same iixed level.

A modified construction of the sealing sleeve in the upper heatingchamber Il is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. As shown, the lower'portionof the chamber, with its connection to the throat I3, and the exteriorside construction is similar to the showing of Figs. 3-5, while thearrangement of the metallic sleeve encircling the upper portion of theannular wall defining tht lcombustion chamber 44' includes additionaladvantageous features. The chamber Il in Fig. 6 is defined by acylindrical metallic easing 2I with an inverted frusto-conical bottomplate 23. The casing and bottom plate are protected `by a refractorylining 24 backed by a layer of insulating material 25.

The upright cylindrical wall 21' is radially spaced from the inner faceof the lining 241:0 define the annular passageway 2 3 therebetween. Aseries of circumferentially spaced piers 3l supporting the wall 21 arein turn supported on .the bottom plate 23. A series of openings l3I areprovided between the piers for the movement of heat transfer materialfrom the passageway 23 to the centrally positioned outlet 32, and thenceinto the throat I3. The lower portion of the wall 21 is.also providedwith two rows of circumferentially spaced ports 33 arranged for thepassage of heating gases from the'chamber 44' into the mass of materialII passing downwardly through the annular passageway".

A refractory burner block 3| is positioned in the upper portion of thewall 21'. The block 3| is provided witha centrally positioned portopening material thereto so as to maintain an essentially 32 at the topto receive fuel and air discharged by aburner It. 'I'he internal surfaceof the 'burner block is formed with an outwardly flaring portionintermediate its height, while its exterior surface is encased in acylindrical refractory wall portion Il. The block and wall II areencircled by a metallic sleeve Il, as hereinafter described, whichserves to laterally support the wall 21 and. t0 provide a seal againstleakage of gases from the upper portion of the combustion chamber Il'into the lower pressure zone of the upper portion of the annularpassageway I.. The upper end of the block and wall terminate at aposition substantially at the elevation of the upper end of the casing2l and its protective lining 24.

The upper cover of the chamber Il is defined by a frusto-conical top IBwhich is divided into two sections 35A and IIB formed of metal platesJoined by a pair of superimposed annular rings A and IIB positioned ingeneral vertical alignment with the annular passageway 2l. The metalplate of the lower section 85A of the top l5 is circumferentially weldedto the upper end of casing 2| and protected by a cast refractoryinsulating material l1 provided with the openings (not shown) necessaryfor the accommodation of the feed spouts 20, similar to the showing ofFigs. l, 2 I

and 3. In addition. an opening Il is provided for spent heating gasesdischarged from the annular passageway 2l. The upper end of section 85Ais circumferentially welded to the annular ring IBA so that the uppersurface of the ring lies in a horizontal plane. This construction isparticularly shown in Fig. '1.

' The upper section IBB of the top Il is circumferentially welded at itslower edge to thewannular ring B so that the lower surface of the ringlies in a horizontal plane. The upper edge of the section ISB engages ahorizontally disposed fiat plate Il which is provided with a centralopening to accommodate the burner 46'. When the top Il is assembled, therings IIA and B are in substantial vertical alignment and are boltedtogether. An opening is provided in the section 85B to accommodate acombustion air supply connection l0, while an opening ,or openings inthe opposite side of the section are arranged to accommodate observationport tubes or ignition tubes. such as indicated at 9|. A depending metalskirt l2 is attached to the section ISB to serve as a baille indirecting the flow of-combustion air to the burner. The skirt is formedwith an upper cylindricalpart connected with a lower cylinder of greaterdiameter byl an annular plate and a truncated cone. A defiector plate I3is attached to the cone of the skirt I2 and positioned adjacent theouter side of the inlet air connection Il.

so as to distribute the entering air throughout the annular spacebetween the skirt l2 and the tcp Il. The lower portion of the skirt iscoaxial with and radially spaced between a pair of cylindrical sleeves94 and BI, the inner of which embraces the refractory wall Il, while theouter cylindrical sleeve l5 extends upwardly to engage.

struction described, the combustion air entering' through the connectionIl is distributed circumferentiaily of the skirt 92 to pass downwardlybetween the outer sleeve ll and the skirt l2. The annular plate DIlconnecting the lower ends of sleeves I4 and l5 is spaced from the lowerend of skirt l2 so that the air passes upwardly in the annular spacebetween the skirt and sleeve u and thence through the burner It'. `Theair in its flow path is preheated for combustion purposes and cools thesleeves. The metallic parts denning the sleeves are ordinarily made ofalloy steel to withstand the temperature conditions characteristic oftheir location.

The connecting throat Il shown in Figs. l and 3 is of circular sectionand the eway I4 is defined by a circular series of refractory piecesextending from the outlet I2 of the inverted frusto-conical bottom tothe upper end of the lower chamber I2. The refractory pieces areprovided with a backing of insulating material I6 which is supportedfrom a sectional metallic casing 51. The dimensions of the verticallyelongated throat I3 are such as to provide a length sufficient, whenfilled with the heat transfer material H, to restrict gas flow betweenthe chambers Il and i2 and yet provide a passageway diameter sulcient topermit free flow of the heat transfer material from the upper to thelower chamber. Fluid flow between the chambers can be prevented orregulated, as disclosed in said Bailey et al. patent. by controllingdamper I3 in response to the pressure dinerential across the throat I3.

The lower chamber I2 is circular in horizontal cross-section and ofsubstantially uniform diameter from its upper end to a downwardlytapered conical bottom. As shown in Fig. l. the chamber i2 is encased ina metallic gas-tight casing Il having a domed top tl arranged to receivethe throat Il and an inverted frusto-conical bottom 62. 'Ihe bottom ilis provided with a central outlet opening for the discharge of heattransfer material into the spout i6. A feed pipe for the fluid to beheated is arranged to direct a flow of that fluid inte the lower portionof the chamber I2 for subsequent upward movement of the fluid throughthe interstices of the heat transfer mass and to be discharged at thedesired temperature from the upper end of the chamber through thedischarge pipes 6l. The discharge pipes conduct the heated fluid fromthe upper end of the chamber I1 into a collecting conduit Il fordischarge to a point of use. The internal arrangement of the lowerchamber I2 may be constructed as disclosed in the said Bailey et al.patent or of the transfer material is heated to a substantially uniformtemperature, so th'at upon entering the lower chamber the heat given u'pby that material in contacting they iiuid to be heated is so distributedas to insure a substantially equaliaed temperagas-tight fittingtherebetween. With the conture through all portions of the fluid uponits dil- 9 charge through the pipes 6I. By maintainin constant the flowrate, temperature and composition of the fluid to be heated uponentering the chamber I2, the flow of heated fluid discharged through thepipes 64 may also Abe continuously maintained substantially equal withany desired temperature regulation obtained by an alteration in theeasily controlled rate of fuel delivered throughthe burner 46.

It will be noted that the present invention discloses the arrangementand construction of -two forms of a structure used in an annular bedtype ofa solid and gas contact device. In both forms, the structure isinthe nature of a metallic sleeve encircling the upper portion of therefractory wall between the bed of heat transfer material and thecentral combustion space and extending downwardly'below the upper levelof said bed. 'Ihe metallic sleeves will effectively prevent fluidleakage through the ceramic refractory wall since uid flow resistancethrough the upper portion of the wall plus the flow resistance throughthe bed of heat transfer material above the lower end of the sleeve willexceed the total fluid ow resistance through the desired heating gasfiow path between the ports 33' and the top of the bed. The sleeves arearranged to allow vertical movement of the annular wall with respect tothe remaining portions of the solid and gas contact device as resultingfrom temperature changes, while maintaining an effective fluid sealbetween opposite sides of the upper portion of the annular wall.Advantageously both of the metallic sleeves are constructed and arrangedfor cooling by heat exchange with the combustion air, prior to thecombination of the air with fuel in the combustion space. y

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I haveillustrated and described herein the best form of the invention nowknown to me, those skilled in the art will understand that changes maybe made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departingfrom'the spirit of the invention covered by my claims, and that certainfeatures of my invention may sometimes be used to advantage without acorresponding use of other features.

I claim:

l. Heat transfer apparatus comprising walls defining -a chamber having agas outlet in itsl upper end and a solid material outlet in its lowerend, means for maintaining a substantially continuous flow of agas-pervious mass of fluent solid heat transfer material downwardlythrough said chamber to said material outlet, a refractory fluid conduithaving its discharge end submerged in and opening to said mass of solidmaterial, a cooled metallic sleeve arranged to support a portion of saidconduit. and aburner arranged to supply a combustible mixture to saidconduit for generating heating gases and passing said heating gasesupwardly through said descending mass of solid material.

2. Heat transfer apparatus comprising Walls defining a chamber having agas outlet vin its upper end and a solid material outlet in its lowerend, means for maintaining a substantially continuous flow of agas-pervious mass of fluent solid heat transfer material downwardlythrough said chamber to said material outlet, a vrefractory fiuidconduit having its discharge end submerged in and opening to said massof solid material, a burner arranged to supply a combustible mixture tosaid conduit for generating heating gases and passing said heating gasesupwardlyv l0 through said descending mass of solid material, and ametallic sleeve arranged to embrace a portion of said conduit and to becooled by the ow of combustion air entering said conduit.

3. A solid and gas contact device comprising a high pressure retainingmetallic casing defining a vertically elongated chamber of horizontalcircular cross-section with a. domed top having a central openingtherein v and an inverted frustoconical bottom with a central outletopening therein, a refractory lining to said casing, an innercylindrical refractory wall internally spaced from the cylindrical wallof said chamber, a metallic sleeve embracing the upper portion of saidinner wall, a gas-tight flexible connection between said sleeve and saiddomed top arranged to allow axial movement of said inner cylindricalwall with respect to the opening in said domed top, a plurality ofcircularly spaced piers resting upon said frusto-conical chamber bottomand supporting said inner cylindrical wall, means for causing downwardmovement of a gas-pervious mass of fluent solid heat Atransfer materialthrough the annular chamber defined by the wall of said chamber and saidinner cylindrical wall, and means for hea-ting said heat transfermaterial to a high temperature in said annular chamber -by directcontact with gaseous products of combustion including a fuel burnerarranged to disc-harge fuel and air at superatmospheric pressuredownwardly through the central top opening into the central spacedefined by said inner cylindrical wall.

4. A solid and gas contact device comprising a high pressure retainingmetallic casing dening a vertically elongated chamber of horizontalcircular cross-section with a top having a central opening therein andan inverted frusto-conical bottom with a central outlet opening therein,a.

. refractory lining to said casing, an inner cylindrical refractory wallinternally spaced from the cylindrical wall of said chamber, a pluralityof circularly spaced piers resting upon said frustoconical chamberbottom and supporting said inner cylindrical wall, means for causingdownward movement of a gas-pervious mass of fluent solid heat transfermaterial through the annular chamber defined by the wall of said chamberand said inner cylindrical wall, means for heating said heat transfermaterial to a high temperature in said annular chamber by direct contactwith gaseous products of combustion including a fuel burner arranged todischarge fuel and air at superatmospheric pressure downwardly into thecentral space defined by said inner cylindrical wall, a pair of radiallyspaced metallic sleeves connected at their lower ends, the innermost ofsaid sleeves arranged to embrace a portion of said inner wall, agas-tight flexible connection between the outermost lof said sleeves andsaid chamber top arranged to allow axial movement of said inner wallwith respect to said top, and a depending skirt extending from saidchamber top between said radially spacedsleeves to a position verticallyspaced from the bottom connec- V tion of said sleei/es, whereby saidsleeves are cooled by a flow of combustion air passing therebetween tosaid burner.

5. A solid and gas contact device comprising a high pressure retainingmetallic casing dening a vertically elongated chamber ofy horizontalcircular cross-section with a domed top having a central opening thereinand an inverted frustoconical bottom with a central outlet openingtherein, a refractory lining to said casing. a multiplicity of archshaped refractory members laid in interlocking rows to define an innerrefractory wall internally spaced from the cylindrical wall of saidchamber, a'metallic sleeve anchored in an intermediate portion of andextending in radially spaced relationship upwardly around the exteriorof said inner refractory wall, a gas-tight flexible connection betweensaid sleeve and said domed top arranged to allow axial movement of saidinner cylindrical wall with respect to the opening in said domed top, aplurality of circularly spaced piers resting upon said frusta-conicalchamber bottom and supporting said inner cylindrical wall, means forcausing downward move-V ment of a gas-pervious mass of iiuent solid heattransfer material through the annular chamber defined by the wall ofsaid chamber and said inner cylindrical wall, and means for heating saidheat transfer material to s high temperature in said annular chamber bydirect contact with gaseous products of combustion including a fuelburner arranged to discharge fuel and air at superatmospherie pressuredownwardly through the central top opening into the central spacedefined by said inner cylindrical wall.

6. Heat exchange apparatus comprising walls denning a verticallyelongated chamber of substantially uniform horizontal circularcross-section, an internal annular refractory wall of substantiallyuniform horizontal circular crosssection coaxial with and radiallyspaced from the walls of said elongated chamber, a domed top to midelongated chamber having at least one inlet opening therethrough for theintroduction of a fluent solid material into the annular chamber definedby said walls land having an outlet for the escape of gas from saidannular chamber, a exible connection between said internal annular walland said top arranged to permit differential expansion therebetween, aninverted frusto-eonical bottom to said elongated chamber ending in acentrally located outlet for i'iuent solid material. a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced piers integral with said frusta-conieal bottomarranged to support said annular wall and to deilne a circmnferentialseries of openings for the passage of iluent solid material from saidannular chamber to said centrally located outlet, a fuel burnerpositioned at the upper end of Y said elongated chamber and arranged todischarge fuel and air downwardly into a cylindrical combustion chamberdefined by said annular refractory wall. means for maintaining agaspervious mass of fluent solid material within said annular chamberand causing a substantially uniform movement thereof therethrough, andmeans for introducing the gases produced in said combustion chamber intothe lower portion of said mass of uent solid material in acircumferentially distributed stream for upward flow therethrough.

7. Heat transfer apparatus comprising a ceramic refractory wallenclosure defining a vertically extending heating gas chamber. a wallenclosure encircling in spaced relationship said ceramic wall enclosureand denning a heat transfer chamber having a gas outlet from the upperl2 portion thereof. gas ilow means connecting the adjacent lowerportions of said chambers. means for maintaining a flow of agas-pervious mass of fluent solid heat transfer material downwardlythrough said heat transfer chamber, means for causing a flow of hightemperature heating gasm into said heat transfer chamber through said-connecting means, said fluent solid material and adjacent lowerportions of said chambers. means for maintaining a ilow of agas-pervious mass of fluent solid heat transfer material downwardlythrough said heat transfer chamber, means for causing a flow of hightemperature heating gases into said heat transfer chamber through saidconnecting means, said iluent solid material and to said gas outlet, aheat resistant gas-impervious metallic sealing wall embracing the upperportion of said heating gas chamber wall enclosure and extending belowthe upper level of heat transfer material within said heat transferchamber. and means for cooling said sealing wall by heat exchange with acooling fluid.

9. Heat transfer apparatus comprising a ceramic refractory wallenclosure defining a vertically extending heating gas chamber, a wallenclosure encircling in spaced relationship said ceramic wall enclosureand defining a heat transfer chamber having a gas outlet from the upperportion thereof, gas ilow means connecting the adjacent lower portionsof said chambers, means for maintaining a flow of a gas-pervious mass ofiiuent solid heat transfer material downwardly through said heattransfer chamber. means for causing a iiow of high temperature heatinggases into said heat transfer chamber through said connecting means.said fluent solid material and te said gas outlet, a heat resistant gasimpervious metallic sealing wall embracing the upper Portion of saidheating gas chamber wall enclosure and extending below the upper levelof heat transfer material within said heat transfer chamber, and meansfor cooling said sealing wall by heat exchange with combustion airwhereby said air is preheated before combustion within said heating gaschamber. l

PAUL R.. GROBBHAN.

Country Date Number Great Britain Sept. 23, lm

7. HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS COMPRISING A CERAMIC REFRACTORY WALLENCLOSURE DEFINING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING HEATING GAS CHAMBER, A WALLENCLOSURE ENCIRCLING IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP SAID CERAMIC WALL ENCLOSUREAND DEFINING A HEAT TRANSFER CHAMBER HAVING A GAS OUTLER FROM THE UPPERPORTION THEREOF, GAS FLOW MEANS CONNECTING THE ADJACENT LOWER PORTIONSOF SAID CHAMBERS, MEANS FOR MAINTAINING A FLOW OF A GAS-PERVIOUS MASS OFFLUENT SOLID HEAT TRANSFER MATERIAL DOWNWARDLY THROUGH SAID HEATTRANSFER CHAMBER, MEAND FOR CAUSING A FLOW OF HIGH TEMPERATURE HEATINGGASES INTO SAID HEAT TRANSFER CHAMBER THROUGH SAID CONNECTING MEANS, ANDFLUENT SOLID MATERIAL AND TO SAID GAS OUTLET, AND A HEAT RESISTANTGAS-IMPERVIOUS METALLIC SEALING WALL EMBRACING THE UPPER PORTION OF SAIDHEATING GAS CHAMBER WALL ENCLOSURE AND EXTENDING BELOW THE UPPER LEVELOF HEAT TRANSFER MATERIAL WITHIN SAID HEAT TRANSFER CHAMBER.